The Age of Absolutism Define and study the following terms: absolute monarch, divine right, armada, intendant, balance of power, dissenter, limited monarchy, constitutional government, cabinet, oligarchy, elector, mercenary, autocrat, boyar, warm-water port, partition, westernization

Early Modern Europe (1500s and 1600s) Medieval Europe to Early Modern Europe Transition from decentralized societies in which needs were met at the local level to centralized societies in which government (law and order) was dominated by monarchs (dynastic rulers) Political systems: traditional, authoritarian, democratic France and Russia (absolute monarchies) England (constitutionally-limited monarchy)

French Society First Estate- Clergy (1%) Second Estate- Nobles (2%) Third Estate- Commoners (97%) PeasantsArtisansbourgeoisie

The Three Estates in France

The Rise of Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Traditionally, how was the power of the monarchs checked in Europe? Estates-General (France) Parliament (England) These were assemblies of nobles, clergy, and wealthy townspeople the king summoned when he wanted to raise taxes. How could these assemblies limit the power of the monarchs?

The Rise of Absolutism in France King Louis XIV (r )

What is absolutism ? absolutism- a form of government with unlimited power held by one individual or group (such as a monarch and his advisors). The monarch makes all final decisions in regard to matters of state. What gave absolute monarchs their power and legitimacy to rule? God divine right of kings- the belief that a ruler derived complete authority to govern directly from God and was responsible to God alone for his or her actions

Jean Bodin, sixteenth-century French political philosopher, Six Books of the Commonwealth How did King Louis XIV see himself in relation to France?

Why did absolutism succeed in France? Protestant Reformation??? Conflict between the French nobility The French Wars of Religion ( ) The Valois dynasty ( ) Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, 1572 Succession to the throne of France The Valois dynasty ( ) came to an end and the throne was contested 1. 1.Henry Bourbon of Navarre (Huguenot) 2. 2.Henry Duguise (Catholic) 3. 3.Henry III Valois (Catholic )

Population of France in sixteenth century

The Nobility in France

The Bourbon Dynasty Henry Bourbon of Navarre became Henry IV of France (r ) After becoming the king of France, Henry renounced Protestantism and embraced Catholicism “Paris is worth a mass” Edict of Nantes (1598)

Henry IV improvements restored the royal treasury repaired roads and bridges supported trade and industry tried to restore discipline in the army and order in the government bureaucracy *These actions were all put into effect without approval from the Estates-General.

Louis XIII (r ) Nine years old in 1610 His mother, Marie de Medici, ruled as his regent (one who governs in the minority of the sovereign) In 1617, Louis gained the throne of France by force from his mother Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIII eventually gave Richelieu complete control over the government in France Richelieu’s goal was to build an absolute monarchy in France How ????

Richelieu realized that he needed to further reduce the power of the nobles and the Huguenots in France. Why?

Richelieu’s actions 1. 1.Destroyed the nobles’ castles and took away their local administrative functions (administrative functions given to intendants) 2. 2.Endeavored to take away the rights that had been granted to the Huguenots 3. 3.Strengthened France’s army and economy 4. 4.In order to establish French unity, he supported French culture

Louis XIV of France The Sun King

Louis XIV (r ) Five years old in 1643 His mother, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin ruled as his regents In 1661, Mazarin died, and Louis assumed total control over France at 23 years old Louis XIV set the style for European monarchies in the 1600s and 1700s He called himself the Sun King

Louis XIV epitomized absolute rule in Europe Louis XIV epitomized absolute rule in Europe He became the source of all political authority in France (L’etat, c’est moi!)He became the source of all political authority in France (L’etat, c’est moi!)

The Fronde ( ) and Louis’s distrust of the nobles The Fronde ( ) and Louis’s distrust of the nobles The Palace at Versailles The Palace at Versailles Colbert Colbert Repeal of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Repeal of the Edict of Nantes (1685) Although an absolute monarchy developed in France, a limited monarchy developed in England. Why? Although an absolute monarchy developed in France, a limited monarchy developed in England. Why?

Revolution and the Monarchy in England

The Tudor Dynasty The War of the Roses ( ) Henry VII of England (r ) Henry VIII of England (r ) Edward VI of England (r ) Mary I “Bloody Mary” (r ) Elizabeth I (r )- end of the Tudor dynasty

Tudor Dynasty Henry VIII Mary I Edward VI Elizabeth I

divine right of kings- the belief that kings receive their power from God and are responsible only to God The Stuart Dynasty James I (r ) – –son of Mary, Queen of Scots – –believed in the divine right of kings – –True Law of Free Monarchies (1598) – –Conflict with Puritans – –“No bishop, no King”

Stuart Dynasty James I James II Charles I Charles II

Charles I (r ) – –second son of King James I – –an ineffective statesman – –1628, Parliament restricted the king’s ability to raise taxes – –Charles tried to add ritual to the Protestant services in England – –Charles was beheaded in 1649 English Civil War ( ) – –Cavaliers (Royalists)- the king’s supporters – –Roundheads- Parliament’s supporters – –Parliament was victorious over the king and his supporters, mainly because of Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army – –Cromwell’s opponents were removed from Parliament and King Charles was tried and executed – –The Commonwealth ( )

Oliver Cromwell

The Restoration (1660) Charles II (r ) – –Declaration of Breda – –Writ of Habeas Corpus The Glorious Revolution James II (r ) – –Catholic wife and son – –England’s fear? William and Mary of Orange – –Act of Toleration (1689)- religion freedom for Protestants in England; Catholics not recognized – –English Bill of Rights (1689)- created a government based on the rule of law and a freely elected Parliament

William of Orange

One more absolute ruler in Europe! Peter the Great of Russia Peter the Great of Russia Romanov dynasty Romanov dynasty absolute rule absolute rule new capital city at St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea new capital city at St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea Read pp Read pp Prepare for Semester Exam Prepare for Semester Exam